Machine for operating on ribbon material



ep 1942- s. F. BAUWENS MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON RIBBON MATERIAL Filed June 15, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet l NVENTOQ/ duwems C ITTO I S Sept. 29, 1942;

S. F. BAUWENS MACHINE FOR OPERATING on RIBBON MATERIAL Filed June 15, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 2 smc'r 30 3 A I ENVEJNTOK/ I ,90 Geno h/ne CfiYBauwena 0 m 45.. fig. v M,

Sept. 29, 1942 S. F. BAUWENS MACHINE FOR OPERATING ON RIBBON MATERIAL Filed June 15, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Gem? mm W/jauwena Patented Sept. 29, 1942 MACHINE FOR OPERATING N RIBBON MATERIAL Seraphine F. Bauwens, Chicago, 111., assignor to Bauwens Machine Company, Inc.

Application June 15, 1940, Serial No. 340,710-

22 Claims. (01. 1- 3) The invention relates to machines for operating on bands of ribbon material and more particularly to an improved machine for forming accurately dimensioned loops or bows of such material and for stapling the same in permanent form.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above general character. which is operative to determine the finished length of the loop with a high degree of accuracy, to locate a plurality of stiffening members in proper relation to the ends of the loop, and to staple the parts together, all in a single operation, thereby materially facilitating the manufacture of such articles and substantially reducing the cost thereof.

Another object is to provide an improved loop forming and stapling machine which is readily adjustable for operating on ribbon material of different widths and for producing loops of different sizes. 1

Still another object is to provide an improved machine having a plurality of stapling mechanisms arranged for operating at spaced points on a loop of ribbon material together with novel means for actuating the mechanisms in a predetermined sequence such as to facilitate assembling the various parts of the article in the desired relationship.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of a loop forming and stapling machine embodying the features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a finished article produced by the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the shiftable forming and stapling unit of the machine.

Fig. 4 is a front View of the unit shown in Fig. 3 with a portion broken away to show details of the shifting means.

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along the line 55 of Fig. 3 showing details of the staple clinching die mechanism and its relation to the other elements of the machine.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are partially diagrammatic views showing the positions of various machine elements in successive stages of an operating cycle of the machine. Fig. 6 shows one end of the ribbon loop clamped in place at the beginning of an operating cycle, Fig. 7 ShOWs the position of the various elements at an intermediate point in the cycle with the looped ribbon material pulled out to the required length, and Fig. 8 shows the stapling heads in position to drive the staples through the material. 7

For purposes of illustration, the invention has been shown and described herein as embodied in a machine (Fig. 1) particularly adapted to form a loop like that of Fig. 2 in a band of ribbon material. Ribbon material looped in this manner is used extensively for hat bands and similar articles, the loop portion simulating a decorative bow when fitted with a cross bar of similar ribbon material. It will be understood, of course, that the invention in certain of its aspects is applicable to a variety of other uses. Accordingly, while a particular embodiment has been shown and described in detail, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention to such embodiment but to cover all modifications, adaptations and alternative constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The ribbon material in the form best suited for hat bands is provided with a loop of the general type shown in Fig. 2. More particularly, in order to provide a decorative bow, the band or strip of ribbon material I0 has-one end folded v back upon itself to form a closed loop consistin of inner and outer layers [0a and [0b. The extreme end Iflc of the strip is turned in so that the raw end is hidden between the inner and outer layers of the loop. stiffening members H and ll of fiber or other suitable material inserted in the ends of the loop serve to hold it against sagging and additionally facilitate the stapling of the ribbon material in the desired loop configuration.

As herein shown, the stiffening member H is secured to the inner layer Illa by a staple 13 at what will eventually constitute the outer end of thebow. The other stifiening member I2 is secured to the inner layer and the end In. of the strip at the opposite or inner end of the bow by a similar staple [4. In each instance the staples extend only through the inner layer or layers of the material and through the stiffening member so that the clinched staple legs are hidden from View by the outer layer Iflb when the bow is viewed from the front.

The machine illustrated in Fig. 1 is particularly suitable 'for forming and stapling loops such as that above described. In general it comprises an elongated fiat base 20 upon which are mounted a pair of laterally spaced relatively movable loop forming and stapling units SI and S2. Each of these units has a projecting portion extending outwardly from the base t permit the strip of ribbon material lllto be wound there about in loop formation. Suitable means is provided on the units for positioning the stiffening members II and I2 in proper relation to the ribbon material and each unit is equipped with individual stapling mechanism of conventional type for securing the parts together by means of the staples I3 and [4. A common actuator for the stapling mechanisms is carried on an upright standard 2| rising from the base substantially midway between the unitsSl and S2. The stand; ard 2! also supports a shiftable gauge pin 22- which, in cooperation with the shiftable -un it determines the finished length of theloop. Suit- V able actuating means, including, in this instance, a pivoted foot pedal P is provided foroperating the various elements of the mahcine so as toeffect the various steps of the operation inpree determined sequence. A

Proceeding now to a more detailed description of the elements of the machine, the forming and stapling units SI and S2 are of generally similar construction although dilferently mounted on the machine base. In the particular machine illustrated, the unit SI is stationarily supported on the base 26 while the unit S2 is supported for movement toward and from the first mentioned unit. Movement of the latter unit is utilized to pull the looped ribbon material taut and to draw it, with the assistance of the gauge pin 22 into a loop of predetermined length as will appear presently,

In its preferred form, the stationary unit SI comprises an elongated generally U-shaped supporting member 23 adapted to be mounted on the base 20 with its legs 25 and 26 projecting forwardly therefrom. The unit S2 likewise includes a generally U-shaped support 2'! adapted to be mounted on the base 20 adjacent the first unit with its legs 28 and 29 projecting forwardly therefrom substantially parallel to the legs of the first support.

The adjoining inner legs 25 and 28 (Figs. 1 and 6-8) of the respective supports constitute the projecting portions of the units about which the ribbon material is wound and each is provided with a die mechanism for clinching the staple driven through the material by the staple driving mechanism to be described hereinafter. As the die mechanisms for the units are identical, a description of one will suffice. Briefly, the mechanism comprises a generally rectangular carrier 7 30 (Figs. 1 and 3-5) pivotally supported at one edge on the support leg by a rib 3| engaging in a complementary groove formed in the upper surface of the leg. At one side of the groove the leg is recessed as at 32 to provide clearance for the free end of the carrier. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5 the carrier is yieldably urged to its upper or inactive position by one or more compression springs 33, upward movement being limited by a headed stop screw 34 fixed to the leg and projecting through a registering aperture in the carrier.

To receive the legs of a staple driven through the material and the stiffening strip resting on the die mechanism, the forward end of the carrier 30 is notched as at 35 (Figs. Band 5) to provide a pocket for a pair of pivoted clinching dogs 36. A plate 31 screwed or otherwise secured to the end of the carrier closes the front of the pocket leaving the upper and lower ends open.

The stapleclinching dogs .36 are loosely -pivoted-by pins .38 at opposite ends of the pocket with theirinner or free ends resting on a-wear plate 39 fixed in the leg of the supporting member. The upper surfaces of the dogs are substantially flat, being inclined outwardly toward each other when in their normal position as shown 5 in Fig. 5. Consequently, as the staple legs emerge from the under side of the stiffening member on the die mechanism and enter the pocket, they engage the inclined surfaces of the dogs which defleet them inwardly during the final portion of 10 their advance through the material and the stiffening member. When the staples are completely driven, the carrier is forced downwardly against --the action of the springs 33 so that the dogs swin about their pivots to clinch the staple legs 5 flat against the under side of the member.

, Correct relationship of the ribbon material andthe stiffening members is insured and these i parts-are accurately centered for insertion of the staples by a gauge plate 40 provided in each 20 'unit. To enable the machine to operate on strips of different widths, the gauge plate is adjustably secured, to the carrier 30- as by headed screws 4| operating in slots in the plate and threading into the carrier. The arrangement is such that 25 the gauge plate may be shifted forwardly and backwardly in a direction crosswise of the ribbon material being operated on.

The gauge plate 40 in its preferred form as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, comprises a flat, generally rectangular metal strip having its forward edge portion cut away to-define two shoulders 42 and 43 constituting adjacent sides of a generally rectangular pocket dimensioned to receive one of the stiffening members II or I2. The front end of. the pocket and the top are left open to facilitate insertion of the stiffening members and the third side is closed by a pair of lugs 44 projecting. upwardly from the front plate 31 of the carrier. The gauge. plate is so positioned 40 that the pocket formedv thereby is accurately centered over the staple clinching dogs 36.

The position of the ribbon'material relative to the stiffening member is controlled by an upstanding shoulder 45. located rearwardly of the 45 pocket defining shoulder43 and formed by recessing. the face of the gauge plate as indicated at 46. To avoid sharp bendsin the ribbon material, the main portion of the plate adjacent the side 42 of the pocket is beveled as at 47 (Fig. 3). An-aperture 48 .in the plate provides access to the stop'screw 3.4 for adjusting the position of this screw.

With the- .above arrangement, the machine may be readily adjusted foroperating on strips of ribbon materialof different widths by simply shifting the gauge plate 41] toward or from the, front of them-achine. In this way the stiffening memberisaccurately centered over the staple clinching dogs. As the shoulder 45 determines the position. of. the-rear edge of the ribbon material, proper. location of the material relative tothe stiffening member is automatically effected regardless of the width of the material.

Cooperating with each of .the staple clinching diemechanisms above described, is a staple driving mechanism 56' which maybe of any suitable andwell known construction. The conventional mechanism shown in Figs. 1. and 8 by way of illustration,1comprises a hollow arm 5| pivoted at one endbetween upstanding flanges 52 of a channel shaped bracket 53 and having at the other end a head 54 in which is mounted a staple driving. plunger. 55.. The plunger is normally held in an elevated position by a coil spring 56'.

A coiled compression spring 51 interposed between the bottom of the bracket and the arm yieldably urges the arm and stapling head to the inactive position shown in Fig. 1. In the particular arrangement illustrated, the arm 5| constitutes a magazine for staples which are fed in well known manner into operative relation to the plunger by means of a follower 58 actuated by a spring 59. The plunger, when depressed, acts to force the staples through the material resting on the carrier 30.

To enable the stapling heads to register accurately with their associated clinching dies, the brackets 53 are rigidly secured to the outer ends of the legs 26 and 29 of the respective unit supporting members. The positioning of the brackets is such that the heads 54 on movement from the inactive position shown in Fig. 1 describe an arc intersecting the forward edge of the associated clinching die so that the head meets the same as shown in Fig. 8 whereby the staple driving plunger is alined with the staple receiving pocket 35 and the clinching dogs 36 mounted therein.

Before the stapling mechanisms are operated to insert the staples, the ribbon material looped about the projecting staple clinching dies and the gauge pin must be pulled out to the desired length. In the machine illustrated, this is efiected jointly by the shifting of one unit away from the other unit and the simultaneous shifting of the gauge pin 22 transversely of the plane of the units. As herein shown, the unit S! is stationary, being adjustably secured to the base 20 in any suitable manner as by machine screws 6| projecting through elongated slots 62 in the supporting member 26 and threading into a ledge 63 machined along the front edge of the base 20. The provision of the slots 62 permits a substantial range of adjustment of the initial spacing of the stapling units to adapt the machine for forming loops of different length.

The shiftable unit S2 is supported and guided for sliding movement toward and from the unit SI by a guideway formed by the ledge 63 and a cooperating bracket 64 secured to the base 26 at the rear of the unit. As best shown in Fig. 5, the bracket is formed with a forwardly projecting flange arranged to overlie the supporting member 21 of the unit, which flange terminates in a depending tongue 65 engaging in a longitudinally extending groove 66 in the face of the member.

Suitable means is provided for yieldably urging the shiftable unit toward the stationary unit to facilitate the looping of the ribbon material over the projecting portions of the units at the beginning of the operation. This means as herein shown, comprises a coiled tension spring 61 connecting between an arm 68 (Figs. 1 and 3) anchored to the stationary bracket 64 and an upstanding pin 69 fixed to the supporting member. Movement of the member under the infiuence of the spring 61 is limited by a stop lug projecting rearwardly of the member for engagement with the end of the bracket 64.

The lug 10 additionally acts in limiting the movement of the supporting member in the opposite direction, that is, toward the advanced position. For this purpose, the lug is apertured to slidably receive a threaded rod 1| anchored in the end of the bracket 64 and extending parallel to the path of movement of the supporting member. A stop nut 12 and a cooperating lock nut 13' are threaded on the projecting end of the rod for engagement by the lug. Thus, by simply varying the position of these nuts, the limit position of the unit S2 can be accurately determined for loops of any desired length.

Any suitable means may be utilized for shifting the unit S2 from its normal rest position to the advanced position above described. The shifting means, as shown in Fig. 4, comprises a bell crank lever 15 pivoted at 16 in a slot formed in the base 20. One arm 18 of the lever projects upwardly to engage in a suitable notch or slot 18 in the supporting member 21. The other arm of the lever projects substantially horizontally along the under side of the base and is operatively connected by a link 8| with the actuating mechanism to be described hereinafter.

While movement of the shiftable unit S2 or of the gauge pin 22 may be utilized alone to pull out the looped ribbon material to the desired length, it is preferred to effect this operation by the joint action of the unit and the simultaneous shifting of the gauge pin in a path substantially perpendicular to the path of movement of the unit. To this end the gauge pin is mounted on a generally rectangular carrier 82 slidably supported in a vertical guideway formed by arecess 83 in a bracket 84 integral with or rigidly secured to the face of the standard 2|. A removable plate 85 extends over the channel to retain the carrier in the guideway, the plate being notched as at 86 to provide clearance for the gauge pin in the movement of the carrier.

For shifting the carrier 82 and gauge pin 22 from the normal rest position shown in Figs. 1 and 6 to the elevated position shown in Figs. 7 and 8, a lever 81 is pivoted on the standard 2| at the rear of the bracket 84 with one end projecting through a slot in the bracket and engaging in a notch in the carrier. The other end of the lever is pierced with a plurality of holes 88 adapted to receive the hooked upper end of a link 89, the other end of which is hooked into a slot 90 in the foot pedal 1?. The range of movement of the carrier and gauge pin can thus be regulated by shifting the link from one of the holes 88 to another. A spring 9| acting on the outer end of the lever 81 serves to yieldably urge the carrier 82 to its lower position in which the gauge pin 22 is disposed between the clinching dies as shown in Fig. 6. Due to the provision of the notch in the foot pedal, movement of the gauge pin is delayed until the pedal has been depressed a predetermined amount to effect certain other operations as will appear presently.

The foot pedal P, in addition to shifting the gauge pin as above described, is also utilized in this instance for swinging both stapling heads to operated or clamping position and for shifting the movable stapling unit S2 to its advanced position. The pedal thus constitutes a part of a common actuating means for these elements of the machine, which actuating means also includes instrumentalities for insuring operation of the elements in the desired sequence. It will be understood, of course, that separate foot pedals may be provided for operating the various machine elements or suitable power actuated means may be employed for this purpose if desired.

The sequence of operations followed by the exemplary machine, will be readily perceived by reference to Figs. 6 to 8 of the drawings. As the first step in the operation, the stifiening members and I2 are placed in the pockets formed by the gauge plates 48 of the clinching dies as previously described and the ribbon material is wound about the dies and the gauge pin 22 with the ends overlapping at the clinching die .for the unity S2: as shown in Fig. 6. The operator will normally exert a slight pull on the extended end of the ribbon material while slowly depressing, the foot pedal P so as to prevent undesired slippage of the ribbon material. ,In the initial movement of the foot pedal, the stapling head of the unit SI is rocked from its inactive position shown in Fig. 1 to the clamping position shown in Fig. 6 in which it acts to clamp the ribbon material l and the stiffening member I I fast to the carrier '30 of the associated'clinching die. In this way the outer end of the loop is definitely fixed and the parts securely held in proper relationship: for the insertion of the staple. Upon furtherdepression ofthe foot pedal, the unit S2 is shiftedaway from .the unit SI or to the left as viewedin- Figs. G'and '7 and the gauge pin 22 is simultaneously moved upwardly. This movement continues until'the parts assume substantially the position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings in which theilooped material is pulled out to the desired length. It will be noted that the gauge'pin 22 israised substantially above the plane of the clinching dies so as to pull out a substantial amount of ribbon material or to increase the length of the ribbon be:- tween the respective clinching dies. This isto compensate for thedifierence in length of the ribbon material passing around under the side of the clinching dies. The spreading of the. die units takes up the slackin the outerlayer lb of the ribbon loop and draws. in the free end I00 of the ribbon until the layer lllb is of the desired length as shown in Figs. 7 and 8'. r

The final movement of the'foot pedal. serves. to rock the stapling head of the unitSZ into clamp ing relation to thematerial asishownin Fig. '8 whereby .to hold the parts in proper relationship until the staples are inserted. With both staple heads in the clamping position,.the staple driving plungers 55 may be operatedibya suitable actuating means.

In the particular machine illustrated, the means for transmitting the movements of the foot pedal P to the stapling head of the unit SI comprises a flexible traction member including an interconnected chain 92 (Fig. 1) and a coiled. tension spring 93. The chain is-connected at its lower end to a cross pin 94 rigidly anchored in the-foot pedal while the spring. is connected to the arm lwhich carries the .staplerhead. Due to the provision of this spring. the blockingof the stapler head by the clinching die does not inter fere with the further depression of the pedal.

The shifting of the unit' S2 and rocking of the stapler head of this unit is eifected in this instance by a flexible traction member in the form of a chain 95 anchored at oneend to the pin 94 and at the other end to a yoke 96 which is loosely connected between the lower end of the link Blior the unit shifting lever and a similar link 91 connected to the arm 5| which carries the stapler head. Suihcient slack is left in the chain When further movement of the unit is prevented by the stop nut, the other end of the yoke is depressed and through the link 9'! rocks the stapler head of the unit S2 to clamping position.

With both units in the clamping position shown in Fig. 8, the stapling mechanism may be operated to drive the staples through the ribbon material and the stifiening members II and I2 positioned on the respective clinching dies. This is effected in the present instance by means of a common actuator including a horizontal bar 98 (Figs. 1 and 8) pivoted as at 99 on a slide I00. The bar is of suflficient length to extend over the respective stapling heads and operative to engage 5; and depress the staple plungers 55- when the slide I00 is moved downward from the position shown in the drawings.

As shown in Fig. 1, the slide I00 is received in a vertical guideway formed by a channel shaped 'groove [ill in the overhanging portion of the up- 95 so that no movement is imparted to the yoke 96 until the foot pedal has .been depressed 'sufficiently to shift the stapler head of the unit Sl in the clamping position (Figs. 6 and '7) There;

after the yoke follows the movements of the pedal. In the preferred form of the machine,,the

springs 61 and 5! are soladjusted that. the yoke first shifts the unit S2 outwardly toward the advanced' position defined by the stop nut 12. i In this operation the yoke pivots on the link 9:1.

right 2|, which groove is covered by a notched cover plate I02. A spring I03 (Fig. 8) normally tends'to hold the actuator in an elevated or inactive position.

51 Any suitable means may be utilized for shifting the actuator slide from its inactive position to' its operated position in which the staple driving plungers 55 are depressed to drive the staples Iii-and H1 in the usual way. In the particular machine illustrated, the means provided for this purpose comprises a hand lever I04 pivoted at one end; on an extension I05 of the upright 2| and having at its other end a handle or manual gripping member I 06. A toggle link I01 operatively connects the hand lever with the slide I00.

As herein shown, one end of the link is attached to the lever by a pivot pin I08, While the other end of the link is apertured to receive a pin I09 projecting from the slide I00. The arrangement is such that when the handle I06 is pulled forwardly, the slide and actuator are shifted downwardly whereby the latter acts to depress the staple driving plungers 55 for driving staples through the material clamped between the stapler heads and their respective clinching dies. Upon release of the hand lever I04 and foot pedal P, the parts are returned to their normal positions by the various springs hereinbefore described. The looped ribbon material may then be withdrawn from the machine in the finished form illustrated in Fig. 2.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the invention provides a novel machine for forming loops or bows in ribbon material with stiffening members accurately located at opposit ends thereof and for stapling the same together in permanent relationship; Dueto the novel combination and arrangement of the parts, the work of the operator is reduced top-a minimum. Likewise a minimum of skill on the part of the operator, is required since means is provided for automatically insuring operation of the various machine elements in the proper sequence; Moreover, the parts are always held in their proper relationship and the looped material is uniformly pulled out to the desired length with a' high degree of accuracy. The machine is simple and of sturdy construction and readily adjustable for operating on ribbon materials of diilerent widths as Well as for forming loops of different lengths.

I claim as my invention 1. A machine of the class described comprising, incombination, a stationary member, a member shiftable away from said stationary member to determine the over-all length of a loop of ribbon material wound about the members in loop formation, a stapling mechanism located adjacent the stationary member, a second stapling mechanism associated with the shiftable member and movable therewith, and means for operating said mechanisms simultaneously to insert staples in the ribbon material at the ends of the loop defined by the respective members.

2. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a stationary member, a second member supported for movement toward and away from the stationary member, said members being formed to permit a strip of ribbon material to be wound about them in loop formation, means yieldably urging the movable member toward the stationary member for positioning the members to accommodate a loop of minimum length, means for clamping the ribbon material to said stationary member to define one end of the loop, means for shifting the movable member to pull out the ribbon material wound thereover to determine the over-all length of the loop, and common means for operating said clamping means and said shifting means in predetermined sequence.

3. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of members arranged in side-byside relation in a common plane, a shiftable member supported intermediate said pair of members for movement transversely of the plane of the pair of members, said members being positioned to permit a strip of ribbon material to be wound thereabout in loop formation, means normally urging the shiftable member toward the plane of the pair of members to accommodate a loop of minimum length, means for moving the shiftable member from its normal position to pull out the ribbon material wound thereover and thereby determine the over-all length of the loop, and means for securing the overlapping portions of the ribbon material together.

4. In a machine of the class described, in combination, a pair of staple clinching dies mounted in spaced relation, a gauge pin mounted intermediate said dies for movement transversely of the plane of the dies, said dies and said pin being formed to receive a strip of ribbon material wound thereabout in loop formation, means yieldably holding said pin substantially in the plane of said dies to accommodate a loop of minimum length, means for shifting said gauge pin away from the plane of the dies to pull out the ribbon material wound thereover into a loop of predetermined length, and staple driving means cooperating with said dies for inserting staples in the ribbon material at opposite ends of the loop.

5. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a stationary member, a second member supported for movement toward and away from the stationary member, said members being formed to permit a strip of ribbon material to be wound about them in loop formation, means yieldably urging the movable member toward the stationary member for positioning the members to accommodate a loop of minimum length, means for clamping the ribbon material to said stationary member to define one end of the loop, means for shifting the movable member to pull out the ribbon material wound thereover to determine the over-all length of the loop, means for clamping the ribbon material to the movable member to maintain the loop at the length determined by the movement of that member, and. means for securing the overlapping portions of the ribbon material together substantially at the point at which it is clamped to the movable member.

6. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a stationary member, a second member supported for movement toward and away from the stationary member, said members being formed to permit a strip of ribbon material to be wound about them in loop formation, means yieldably urging the movable member toward the stationary member for positioning the members to accommodate a loop of minimum length, means for clamping the ribbon material to said stationary member to define one end of the loop, means for shifting the movable member to pull out the ribbon material wound thereover to determine the over-all length of the loop, means for clamping the ribbon material to the movable member to maintain the loop at the length determined by the movement of that member, and means for inserting staples through the ribbon material substantially at the points at which it is clamped to the stationary and movable members.

'7. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a stationary member, a second member supported for movement toward and from the stationary member, means normally urging the movable member into closely spaced relation to the stationary member, projecting portions on each member formed to receive a strip of ribbon material woundthereabout in loop formation, a lever arm pivoted at one end on the stationary member and engageable at its other end with the projecting portion of that member, a second lever arm pivoted at one end on the movable member and engageable at its other end with the projecting portion of that member, and common actuating means operable initially to rock the first lever arm into position to clamp the ribbon material to the projecting portion of the stationary member, then to shift the movable member away from the stationary member to pull out the ribbon material looped over the projecting portion of the member over-all length of the loop, and finally to rock the second lever arm into position to clamp the ribbon material to the projecting portion of the movable member.

8. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a stationary member, a second member supported for movement toward and from the stationary member, means normally urging the movable member into closely spaced relation to the stationary member, projecting portions on each member formed to receive a strip of ribbon material Wound thereabout in loop formation, a lever arm pivoted at one end on the stationary member and engageable at its other end with the projecting portion of that member, a second lever arm pivoted at one end on the movable member and engageable at its other end with the projecting portion of that member, means for shifting the movable member away from said stationary member to pull out the ribbon material wound over the projecting portions of the member, a depressible foot pedal, and means connecting said pedal with said lever arms and shiftable means operable in the depression of the pedal to actuate the lever arms and the shifting means in predetermined sequence.

9. A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, a stationary member, a second member supported for movement .toward and from the stationary member, means normally holding the second member closely adjacent the stationary member, means operable to shift the and thereby determine thesecond member away tram said stationary member, projections on each menibentbfiried'tdfeceive a strip of ribbon material wound about the same inloop' formation, said ribbon'materialbeing pulled out-to a loop'of predetermined length the shifting of the movable member, means on tn prbjecpmg portipnof each member for holding a fiber strip maxed relation to the ribbon material, and means associatedwith each memberi ffor stapling the'ribbon materialto the fiber strip held-thereby. I W 7 l0. 'A machine of the class described comprising, in combination, afpair of supports one mounted for movement toward and away 'from the other, a projection on each support positioned to aceornmodate -a strip of ribbon material wound thereaboutloop; formation, a shiftable gauge pin norrnally pgsitioned between said supports to project ,thrqiigh the "loop of ribbon" material, means tending to hold the supports in closely adjacem're etm, means for shifting the movable support awayjrom th ;other support and for si- 1 multaneouslyshifting said gauge 'pin away from its normal position to pull outtheloop of ribbon ,Inaterial to a predetermined length, stapling mechanism on each, support-including an arm pivoted at one endon the associated support and carrying at its other end a stapling head engagea'ble with the ribbon material looped over theprojection of that support, and means for actuating said stapling mechanisms to 'insertstaples in the ribbon material at each end of the loop. i l1 A machine for forming loops of ribbon ma- I terialwith transverse stiffening strips at each end of the loop, said machine comprising, in combination, a plurality of members one or more of whichis shiftable away from the others to determine thelengthof a loop fo rmed;in a length 7 .of ribbon material woundthereabout, guide means mounted on two of said members for holding a stiffening strip in predetermined relationjto the ribbon material, and means associated with said two mem bersvior stapling the ribbon material and thestiffening strips together.

,. 12. Ajmachine for forming'loops of ribbon ma we terial with transverse stiffeningstripsat each end of theloop, said machine comprising, in combinatiqn, a plural ity of members at leastone of which is 'shiftable away from the others, to determine the lengthof aloop formed in a length of ribbonsmaterialwound ,thereabout, guide meansmounted on two of said members having an l xt nsiqnn n e l -w th e /i the ribbon. material and a cut-outportion forholding a stiifening strip in'predetermined relation to the'ribbon material, stapling means associated with'each of said two members operable to staple the ribbon material and stiffening strips together, saidguideimeans being adjustable relative tosaid staplingmeans to present ribbon materials of different width and correspondingly dimensioned stiffening strips in proper relationship to the t pli m ans.

' stapling-mechanism mount'ed on each support operable'te staple theribbon material and stilfening member together, and means securing the guide means to the associated support for adjustment transversely of the ribbon material whereby to present materials of different widths in proper relation to the stapling mechanism.

14. A machine for forming loops of ribbon material with transverse stiifening members at each end of the loop,a stationary support, a movable support, a shiftable gauge pin mounted intermediate said supports, projections on the supports positioned for the reception of a strip of ribbon material wound thereabout and over said pin in loop formation, guide means on each projection for holding a stifiening member in predetermined relation to' the edges of the ribbon material, 'means for shifting the movable support V away from the stationary support and for simultaneously shifting the gauge pin away from both supportsto determine the length of the loop of ribbon material, and stapling mechanism carried by each support for stapling the ribbon material and the stifi'ening member together.

15. 'A machine for forming loops in strips of ribbon material with stiflening-memberslocated adjacent opposite ends of the loop, a pair of supports one movable laterally toward and from the other, means urging said one support toward'the other while a strip of ribbon material is wound around both supports in loop formation, means on' each support 'for holding a s'tiflening member in predetermined relation to one edge of the ribbon material, means for moving said 'one'support away from the other support, and a gauge pin mounted intermediate said supports adapted to project'within the loop of ribbon material, said gauge pin being shiftable relative to the supports and operating jointly with said one support 'to vary the length of ribbon material between the stiffening members.

1a In a machine for stapling ribbon material,

the'combination with means for driving the legs of a U-shaped'staple through a portion-of material presentedthereto, of a die-unit positioned to'support the material in operative relation to the staple driving means, a guide member including a' flat plate having a recess adaptedto 'hold a stif- '1 ening member for stapling to the ribbon material, said recess defin'inga shoulder engageable with one :edge of the ribbon material, and means 'securing said plate to the die unit for adjustment relative to the stapling means to accommodate "ribbon material of 'differentwidths.

17. In a machine for stapling, ribbon material, in combination, a pair of laterally'spaced die units 'for supporting the material to be stapled, a pivoted stapling head associated with'each die unit 13. A machine ioir formingloops of ribbon material with transverse stifiening members at each end of the loop said'machine comprising, in combination, a pairxof supports oneshiftable laterally away from the otherto determine the length of a ,7 loop formed in, a ribbon wound'aroundboth supporti bguideime ens mounted on each support rhavinghavcut-out portion adapted to -receive a V stiffeninglmember ,and deflning a shoulder engageable with one edge ofithe ribbon material wherbyto locatethestifiening"member in predetermined relation to the ribbon material, a

adapted to be swung from an inactive position-to an active position in which the "head 'is'inengagement with the material supported on the respective units, a staple driving plunger supported in each head, 'and mechanism for actuating said heads simultaneously including a slide reciprocable toward and from the-die units, and across member secured to-said slide and engageable with the plungers of both die heads when the latter are swung into their active positions.

18. In a machine for stapling ribbon material, in combination, a pair of laterally spaced die units for supporting the material to be stapled,

' a pivoted stapling head associated with each unit,

means yieldably holding said heads in ,inactive position, means operable, to swing the heads to active position to clamp the ribbon material against their associated die units, a staple driving plunger for each head, means for actuating said plunger to drive staples through the material, said die units acting to clinch the staples, said actuating means including a cross member engageable with both plungers, a slide pivotally supporting said cross member, a hand lever, and a toggle mechanism connecting said hand lever with said slide.

19. In a machine for forming loops of ribbon material, in combination, a base, a pair of members supported on said base, one of said members being stationary and the other movable toward and from the stationary member, projections on each member about which a strip of ribbon material may be Wound in loop formation, spring means normally holding the movable member closely adjacent the stationary member while the ribbon material is being wound about the projections thereon, means for shifting the movable member away from the stationary member to pull out the ribbon material into a loop of predetermined length, adjustable stop means for limiting the travel of said movable member to accurately determine the finished'length of the loop, and means for adjusting the position of the stationary member to provide for forming loops of difierent length.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a group of at least three members each having a surface normally disposed substantially in a common plane to receive a strip of ribbon material wound thereabout in loop formation, means for holding a portion of the looped ribbon material stationary, and means for shifting the intermediate member of the group transversely of said plane to pull out one side of the looped ribbon material to a predetermined length.

21. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a group of at least three members each having a surface normally disposed substantially in a common plane and having a length of ribbon material passing thereover, means for clamping the ribbon material to one of the outside members of the group, and means for shifting the intermediate member of the group transversely of said plane to increase the length of ribbon material between the outside members of the group.

22. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a group of at least three members each having a surface normally disposed substantially in a common plane and having a length of ribbon material passing thereover, means on the outside members of the group for supporting a stiffening strip adjacent the ribbon material, means for temporarily clamping the ribbon material and one of the strips to the member on which the strip is supported, means for shifting the intermediate member of the group transversely of said plane to draw out a predetermined length of ribbon material between the stiffening strips, and means for securing the stiffening strips to the ribbon material.

SERAPHINE F. BAUWENS. 

